Broader and more effective efforts should be made for MITV development by laying down short- and long-term plans, says the MoI Union Minister

Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn attended the meeting on the development of the Myanmar International Channel (MITV) held yesterday morning in Yangon.
At the meeting, the Union Minister said the MITV was the first broadcast in English in Myanmar since 2001 intending to help the international community to know the real situation of Myanmar and the development of tourism. In 2010, it partnered with Shwe Thanlwin Media Company to develop MITV’s business rapidly and more effectively. He commended the efforts of those who made progress with reforms after 10 years of cooperation. He urged to make efforts to make the international community aware of the real situation in Myanmar, which is also the aim of MITV, as false news about Myanmar is being spread intentionally to put pressure on the country. He called for long-term plans to be made more effective through a wide range of activities as the role of MITV is very important for the country.
In the afternoon, the Union Minister, accompanied by Yangon Region Chief Minister U Hla Soe, Yangon Region Ministers, and executives from the Myanmar Motion Picture Organization, visited Wazira Cinema located in Kyauktada Township and inspected to upgrade to a red carpet theatre and to hold national-level events in the film industry.
During the visit, he urged to coordinate with the archaeological conservation organizations for renovation as the Wazira Cinema is an ancient heritage building. He instructed them to renovate the cinema into a venue for film festivals, plays, workshops, and an art environment that combines ancient influence with modern cinematic techniques.
Afterwards, he inspected the demonstration performed at the Thamada Cinema as per the rules of COVID-19 prevention. The Union Minister and party inspected the seat placement system, the use of infrared thermal scanner, ticket sales system, display system and personal health care services, the condition to purify the air inside the cinema with air-conditioners and blowers, and events scheduling for film screenings. He instructed officials concerned to develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent the disease infection.
A total of 196 cinemas (221 screens) across Myanmar were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and screenings were suspended from 16 March 2020. At present, as the COVID-19 infection rate has dropped, plans are underway to open cinemas under the COVID-19 rules and regulations so that artists could resume their work that the people would enjoy. — MNA